A new practical guide to human rights education

A new practical tool to promote human rights education is now available. The new tool, which collects 101 exemplary practices from Central Asia, Europe and North America, is a valuable resource for teachers and education policymakers.
Among the good practices featured in the collection is “Build Bridges, Not Walls”, a Norwegian publication with 97 exercises on human rights, multicultural understanding and peaceful conflict resolution. The exercises, designed for non-formal learning settings such as those involving refugees and immigrants, are already in use in Norway, South-Eastern Europe and Eastern Europe, including conflict areas.
Human rights education is vital for all our societies. “It promotes equality, empowerment and participation as well as conflict prevention and resolution. In brief, it is a means to develop societies where the human rights of all are respected, protected and fulfilled,” said the heads of the four partner organizations in their joint foreword to the collection.
The collection, entitled “Human Rights Education in the School Systems of Europe, Central Asia and North America: A Compendium of Good Practice” , is a joint publication by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR), the Council of Europe (CoE), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Designed for primary and secondary schools, teacher training institutions and other learning settings, the this tool collects good practices of human rights education, education for democratic citizenship, and education for mutual respect and understanding.
It provides resource materials relevant to key elements for successful human rights education, including 1) laws, guidelines and standards; 2) learning environment; 3) teaching and learning tools; 4) professional development for educators, and 5) evaluation.
The collection demonstrates creative approaches to human rights education and aims to facilitate networking and exchange of experience among education professionals. The practices can be adapted to local conditions anywhere in the world.
Launched on 2 October in Warsaw, Poland, the collection contributes to the national implementation of the World Programme for Human Rights Education, a global initiative of the UN General Assembly .
2 October 2009
Fonte,http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/HRsEducationBook.aspx, consultado a 7 de Outubro de 2009.

World Humanitarian Day 2009 - Geneva

Album: World Humanitarian Day 2009 - Geneva

Link, http://www.sergiovdmfoundation.org/wcms/index.php?option=com_anotherpicasa&view=album&Itemid=190&lang=en

Journée mondiale de l’aide humanitaire

(...) A partir de 2010, la Fondation Sergio Vieira de Mello prévoit d’honorer la mémoire et la contribution de M. Sergio Vieira de Mello en lançant un Prix annuel, en son nom, qui sera décerné aux individus, institutions ou communautés en reconnaissance d’actions exceptionnelles entreprises dans le but de réconcilier de façon pacifique les peuples et les parties en conflit. Dès 2010, les lauréat(s) seront annoncé(s) lors de la Journée mondiale de l'aide humanitaire. (...)
Fonte,http://www.un.org/fr/events/humanitarianday/2009/qna.shtml, consultado a 12 de Setembro de 2009

Tribute paid to humanitarian workers

25 August 2009 / 10:32
[Dateline: New York Authors: iSeek]
UN staff around the world observed the first-ever World Humanitarian Day on Wednesday, 19 August, paying tribute to the colleagues lost in the line of duty, as well as those who undertake humanitarian work for the United Nations and its partners in many difficult places around the world.The day’s events were spearheaded by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Established last December by the General Assembly ( A/RES/63/139 ) , the date was chosen to mark the date of the 2003 bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad which killed 22 staff members, including the top United Nations envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and wounded more than 150.
Organizers of World Humanitarian Day hope the annual celebration will increase public understanding of humanitarian assistance world wide as well as honoring humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or been injured in the course of their work.
SG message for the day
New York
The Secretary-General attended two related events on Wednesday morning – a somber wreath-laying ceremony to honor those killed in Baghdad six years ago and the launch of an exhibition of posters and photographs capturing images of humanitarian workers in action.In his remarks, the SG said “Each year on August 19th, we will honour the memory of fallen humanitarians. We will pay tribute to the dedicated men and women who are out there among the vulnerable, providing hope and help. And we will draw the world's attention to the great magnitude of suffering in our world that needs our urgent attention.”
He added, “For my part, I pledge to do all that I can as Secretary-General of the United Nations to help victims while protecting the security and independence of the people who work so hard to save them”( full remarks ). Joining Mr. Ban at the Headquarters ceremony was Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Catherine Bragg who noted that aid workers are working in ever more dangerous conditions.
“The last two years have been successively the most deadly for aid workers on record,” she stated. “Too often, UN and NGO flags and emblems are no longer protections but provocations.”
Geneva
Considered by many to be the humanitarian capital of the world, an inter-agency event took place in Geneva’s Parc des Bastions which included participation from Swiss and Geneva authorities as well as the various agencies working in the humanitarian field.
In his remarks, Director-General Sergei A. Ordzhonikidze highlighted the sad figures from last year stating that “a record of 260 humanitarian aid workers from different agencies and charities were victims of kidnappings and attacks, including 122 who were killed.”
Also speaking was Mrs. Annie Vieira de Mello, widow of Sergio Vieira de Mello, who spoke about the foundation which has been set up in her late husband’s memory.
The event also included wide range of music from different parts of the world and some fine culinary tastes from Senegal and, of course, Brazil.
Other events
A number of events were held in various UN offices around the world including Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dubai, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, the occupied Palestinian territories, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Zimbabwe.
Staff from the UN Information Centres in Beirut and Warsaw were particularly instrumental in getting the word out about the day in Arabic, French and Polish by participating in several radio interviews and generating a high-level of traditional and online media coverage.
The following is a short overview of some of these events.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo a two-hour event was organized with some 200 guests from the press, the government, humanitarian partners, donors and NGOs, followed by live broadcasting in collaboration with Radio Okapi , the UN peacekeeping mission’s radio.
Kenya
Activities organized by OCHA in Kenya focused on “the Human Face of Drought” and included an IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Networks) photo essay on drought and the dissemination of posters on this theme.
Nepal
OCHA’s ceremony in Nepal featured screenings of films on humanitarian action in the country, a musical interlude and personal tributes to humanitarian workers by colleagues, in the presence of government officials.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, the UN Information Centre in Islamabad held discussion forum with the heads of national and international print and electronic media in advance of the day on 6 August with Humanitarian Coordinator Wolfgang Herbinge and communication specialists from OCHA, the World Food Programme and UNICEF which resulted in a high-level of interest from the media in the country.
Also appreciated was the UNIC’s translation of material into one of the local languages, Urdu.
Awards for best print and broadcast media on the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan were announced. The honorary award will be given out on UN Day in October.
Sudan
OCHA’s office in Sudan launched a joint UN/NGO online photo exhibition depicting humanitarian, early recovery, recovery and development work while local TV stations also broadcasts a public service announcement.
Tanzania
The UN System in Tanzania’s observance was coordinated by UNIC Dar es Salaam and held at the UN compound under the leadership of Acting UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Ronald Sibanda.
During the event, UN flag was hoisted followed by a minute of silence observed by government representatives, members of the media and staff in attendance.

Link,http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/portal/cache/offonce/home/pid/10617;jsessionid=13149E379C11D6D24FBC37B1DEB26FC4, consultado a 26 de Agosto de 2009

Mensagem do Secretário-Geral das Nações Unidas, Ban Ki-moon, por ocasião do Dia Mundial da Ação Humanitária, 19 de Agosto de 2009

Hoje é o primeiro Dia Mundial da Ação Humanitária, proclamado pela Assembléia Geral das Nações Unidas.
Ele representa, acima de tudo, o dia no qual renovamos nosso compromisso em ajudar pessoas vulneráveis e marginalizadas onde quer que elas estejam. Essa é a principal missão da comunidade humanitária.
Esse também é o dia no qual prestamos homenagens às legiões de heróicos trabalhadores humanitários. Esses homens e mulheres têm diferentes origens, mas compartilham a mesma convicção: o sofrimento de uma pessoa é responsabilidade de todos.
A data dessa homenagem anual lembra o dia do ataque à sede das Nações Unidas em Bagdá, que matou 22 pessoas dedicadas ao trabalho, incluindo o grande humanitário Sérgio Vieira de Mello.
“Continuamos inspirados pelo legado que eles deixaram e permanecemos determinados a levá-lo adiante. A Fundação Sérgio Vieira de Mello está fazendo o mesmo ao organizar o prêmio anual que leva o nome do brasileiro, com o objetivo de reconhecer notáveis conquistas na área de resolução pacífica de conflitos.”
Como Sérgio e outros bravos colegas que perderam suas vidas nesse terrível dia, equipes humanitárias se dirigem a regiões de risco para ajudar os outros. Para essas pessoas, não existe conflito esquecido.
Mas para realizar esse nobre trabalho – enfrentando ameaças em meio a desastres e guerras – eles precisam da nossa ajuda. Essas pessoas precisam que trabalhemos sem descanso por sua segurança e independência.
O Dia Mundial da Ação Humanitária foi criado para ampliar o foco sobre as pessoas em risco, para garantir que elas recebam a assistência que merecem. Espero que possamos redobrar nossos esforços para alcançar essa meta. E que cumpramos nosso dever humanitário. Link,http://www.brasilia.unesco.org/noticias/opiniao/artigooutros/mensagem-do-secretario-geral-das-nacoes-unidas-ban-ki-moon-por-ocasiao-do-dia-mundialda-acao-humanitaria-19-de-agosto-de-2009, consultado a 26 de Agosto de 2009.

WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE

"I pledge to do all that I can as Secretary-General of United Nations to help victims while protecting the security and independence of those who work so hard to save them". Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks on first World Humanitarian Day, 19 August 2009


Annie Vieira De Mello, Vice Chairwoman of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation, addresses a commemorative event on the first World Humanitarian Day

Annie Vieira de Mello, widow of Sergio Vieira de Mello and Vice Chairwoman of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation, addresses a commemorative event on the first World Humanitarian Day. Location: Geneva, Switzerland Date: 19 August 2009. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre
Link,http://www.unmultimedia.org/photo/detail/406/0406892.html, consultado a 26 de Agosto de 2009

Annie Vieira de Mello pede protecção para os trabalhadores humanitários
A jornalista Andreia Brito falou ao telefone com Annie Vieira de Mello
(...) Na véspera do Dia Mundial Humanitário, a jornalista Andreia Brito falou ao telefone com a mulher de Sergio Vieira de Mello, Annie Vieira de Mello, que pede às populações e aos Governos para que actuem para proteger os voluntários.
2009-08-18 17:48:05
Link,http://tv1.rtp.pt/noticias/?headline=46&visual=9&tm=7&t=Mulher-de-Sergio-Vieira-de-Mello-pede-proteccao-para-os-trabalhadores-humanitarios.rtp&article=272093, consultado a 26 de Agosto de 2009.

High Commissioner for Refugees Addresses World Humanitarian António Guterres
António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, addresses a commemorative event on the first World Humanitarian Day. Location: Geneva, Switzerland Date: 19 August 2009. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre.

Link,http://www.unmultimedia.org/photo/detail/406/0406893.html , consultado a 26 de Agosto de 2009

Unsung Heroes of the Battlefields

By Laurent Vieira de Mello, president of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation.
The Washington Post
Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Six years ago today, my father, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was killed in a tragic attack in Baghdad that changed the face of the humanitarian world. A truck filled with bombs exploded in the United Nations compound, killing 22 humanitarian workers and wounding many more. Some who were not physically hurt were psychologically wounded. Even years later, many remain vulnerable.

My father headed the U.N. team in Baghdad. A few days before he was killed, he wrote: "The situation is indeed difficult. But we will succeed, because we will do it with the Iraqi people."

His dedication to serving people in need is shared by thousands of humanitarian workers around the world who sacrifice their time, their energy and, too often, their lives to help those in need in places where wars kill and maim and throw innocent victims into refugee camps or exile. Darfur, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda are just a few of these areas.

In recognition of their commitment, my family sought to have Aug. 19 -- the date my father and his fellow workers died while helping destitute people -- designated as World Humanitarian Day. After discussions with our foundation, Brazil, France, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland sponsored a U.N. resolution that was adopted by the General Assembly on Dec. 11, 2008. So for the first time, today is officially an occasion to reflect on the situation for humanitarians deployed in the field.

Sadly, already poor conditions for humanitarian workers in many places are deteriorating. Since 2006, attacks on aid workers have increased sharply, the Overseas Development Institute reports. The Darfur region in Sudan, Afghanistan and Somalia are the most dangerous places, accounting for more than 60 percent of violence against aid workers.

Last year was the worst in 12 years, with 260 humanitarian aid workers killed, kidnapped or seriously injured in violent attacks, according to the institute. This toll exceeds the number of victims among U.N. peacekeeping troops.

The Baghdad bomb attack that killed my father dramatically underscored a fact that humanitarian workers had dealt with since the early 1990s: The U.N. flag had ceased to be bulletproof. It no longer protected U.N. humanitarian workers as well as the staffs of nongovernmental organizations.

Before the 1990s, most wars in the developed world were proxy wars. There was a kind of tacit gentleman's agreement whereby superpowers respected as much as possible the rights and the work of humanitarian personnel.

Now, this did not prevent the deaths of many humanitarians. But most casualties were those who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, caught in the crossfire. Rarely were aid workers targeted.

The situation, though, has changed dramatically. With the rise of nationalism since the fall of communism and the end of the proxy wars, humanitarian workers no longer benefit from protection, flimsy as it may have been before. Victims nowadays are often targeted.

We're talking about the people who are serving on the front line for those of us who weep when we see children on TV crying beside mothers who have been killed by mortar fire -- and believe that something must be done to help these victims and others like them.

Humanitarian workers are the unsung heroes of our time. They are not recognized as such. Yet consider their efforts, seeking to persuade warlords to let them help innocent civilians who are facing heat, cold, disease and other threats.

They never have the money and staff to fully respond to demands. They get up every morning knowing the enormousness of the task ahead of them, carrying on despite the gnawing feeling that whatever they attempt will always be a drop in the ocean. They can help, their efforts can and do save lives, but these workers are aware that their actions amount to little more than a Band-Aid on some of the world's worst problems.

The reality of their tasks would make any of us despair. Not them.

As a humanitarian worker once told me: "We have no right to despair when we see that people who have lost everything, even their family, still have hope."

It is high time for the international community to face its responsibilities and stop hiding behind humanitarian action. The world must stop using humanitarian efforts as a fig leaf. It can no longer avoid action while putting its conscience at rest by sending humanitarian actors into the killing fields. There are lives at risk.

And on this day, because of their courage, dedication, generosity and humility, humanitarian workers deserve our respect. We should not only praise their work but also remind the world that we must protect them, that we must impress on warlords that if they have any humanity left, they should protect and assist these workers. We must remind the world that humanitarian workers are neutral and help those in need, whatever their color, race, religion or political beliefs. They deserve our efforts and our thanks.

Link,http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/18/AR2009081802908.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns&sid=ST2009081802974, consultado a 26 de Agosto de 2009

International Migrants Day, 18 December

dPress release
18 December 2008

The 9th International Migrants Day coincides with the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Many UDHR provisions vividly relate to some of the threats – racism, xenophobia, labour and sexual exploitation, arbitrary detention and other injustices- and hopes – freedom of movement, right to work, to education, to live in dignity - experienced by millions of women, men and children and demonstrate that migrants rights are human rights. This year also marks the 5th year of the entry into force of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The decades-long gap in the adoption of a treaty and other human rights tools for the protection of migrant workers is about to have particularly dire consequences. For scores of migrants, the world financial crisis will expose their existing vulnerability to stronger hardship and exploitation. It will also result in diminished remittances to those left behind in their home countries. Ironically, while migrants have often been the invisible architects of many striving economies and least benefited from financial investment and related wealth generating products, they will be amongst the worst hit. It is thus essential that civil society actively monitors respect for the Convention, engages with the UN Committee on Migrant Workers and renews the call for universal ratification. But, the fact that major countries of destination did not ratify this convention does not mean that they should not / and cannot be held accountable. Other international instruments do apply to migrant workers and it is up to migrants’ organisations, civil society and the international community to make use of them. (See December 18’s newest publication, “the Samizdat”.) More than ever, International Migration Day (IMD) is an occasion for international solidarity and for making migrants voices heard. December 18 gives a platform to these testimonies via Radio 1812, a global event that brings together a wide range of radio stations that broadcast special programmes on the occasion of IMD. This unique radio marathon enables migrants’ voices to be heard, not only on community-based radio stations but also on large public broadcasts and via our dedicated website. More than 100 radio stations from over 35 countries will participate in this year’s event. December 18 believes that it is wrong to deal with migration as a security issue only. Many governments want to stay out of the limelight and orchestrate policy discussions, for instance within the Global Forum on Migration and Development conveyed outside of the United Nations thereby excluding civil society from the process. Civil society, including NGOs and migrant organisations often are the sole actors delivering assistance and advice to migrants in countries of origin, transit and arrival. Their unique experience would greatly enrich analyses and solutions oriented discussions respectful of a human rights framework. However, the UDHR and other human rights norms and standards evolved since then and have slowly been integrated in some international, regional and national government responses to migration, including, albeit timidly, in some migration management initiatives. More than ever, civil society, migrant and human rights organisations will need to remind governments of their commitments and highlight the relevance of the Preamble of the UDHR which declares that: “[…] recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, […] disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, […] it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law, […] it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations.” December continues to work for the respect of the human dignity and the fundamental human rights of all migrant workers and their families.-->
Learn more about International Migrants Day.

Link,http://www.hrea.org/index.php?base_id=2&language_id=1&headline_id=8409, consultado a 18 de Dezembro de 2008.

World Humanitarian Day : 19th August

"We should never forget all the victims, not only in Baghdad and Algiers, who have given their lives for the United Nations," Annie Vieira de Mello, Aug 19, 2008, Reuters.

The General Assembly designates 19th August as World Humanitarian Day / Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation

General AssemblyGA/10798 / 11 December 2008


OCHA News Centre
12 December 2008

The General Assembly decided today to designate 19 August as World Humanitarian Day. The resolution adopted by consensus and sponsored by Sweden reaffirms the United Nations’ unique role in humanitarian emergencies. It calls for increased public awareness about humanitarian assistance activities worldwide and the importance of international cooperation in this regard. It also pays tribute to all humanitarian and United Nations and associated personnel who have worked in the promotion of the humanitarian cause and those who have lost their lives in the cause of duty.
Adopting another resolution by consensus, the General Assembly expressed deep concern that, over the past decade, threats and attacks against the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and associated personnel have escalated dramatically and that perpetrators of acts of violence seemingly operate with impunity. In the resolution sponsored by France on behalf of the European Union, the General Assembly also emphasized the need to pay particular attention to the safety and security of locally recruited humanitarian personnel, who are particularly vulnerable to attacks and who account for the majority of casualties and cases of harassment.
Read the General Assembly coverage

Link,http://ochaonline.un.org/News/tabid/1080/Default.aspx, consultado a 15 de Dezembro de 2008.

The People’s Movement for Human Rights Educación (PDHRE) | Movimiento de los Pueblos para la Educación en Derechos Humanos

español
in English

A Brief Introduction To Our Thinking
More than any other moral language available at this time in history, the language of human rights is able to expose "the immorality and ...barbarism of the modern face of power... We cannot take rights seriously without taking suffering seriously..." (- Upendra Baxi, Human Rights and Inhuman Wrongs) Poverty, warfare, environmental degradation, the deleterious effects of globalization, discrimination, disease, illiteracy, and labor exploitation are just some of the threats bearing down on our right to be human — to live in security and dignity.Yet, every one of the horrors and threats confronting humanity today could be fought on the grounds of its being in violation of the human rights declared in the Universal Declaration of 1948. The rights set down in this and other international covenants, declarations, and conventions create a space from which a multitude of struggles to improve the welfare of individuals and communities around the world can spring.We therefore seek to provide a framework for serious global debate among groups working for social and economic justice, and their constituencies, who may not yet have identified their experiences and goals with the rights stated in international human rights documents and the enunciations of the major UN-sponsored world conferences. We also seek to engage human rights-identified organizations in the just and balanced promotion of economic, social, and cultural rights along with civil and political rights. (...).

Link,http://www.pdhre.org/about.html

, consultado a 13 de Dezembro de 2008.

Manual "Understanding Human Rights"

The manual "Understanding Human Rights" has been translated to many languages, which we would like to present here. Please note that all translations published before 2007 were based on the first and original edition of the English version, published in May 2003. (...).

Link,http://www.etc-graz.at/typo3/index.php?id=16, consultado a 12 de Dezembro de 2008.

60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

International Human Rights Day

10 December 2008

"This year's International Human Rights Day is of special significance as it marks the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which represented the first step in establishing a comprehensive international framework for the protection of human rights. Today the Universal Declaration is one of the fundamental texts establishing respect for human rights as a guiding principle in international relations. The year 2008 also witnesses the 15th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action proclaimed by the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights as well as the 10th anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

President José Manuel Barroso declared: “I am always struck by the truly revolutionary nature of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which courageously stated in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War that “inherent dignity” and “the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family” were the foundations of freedom, justice and peace. Sixty years on and against the background of the continuing critical human rights situation in many countries, the Declaration remains as pertinent as ever.”

Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: “Sixty years after the proclamation of the Universal Declaration it is widely accepted as part of customary international law – testimony to the genuinely universal nature of the rights it enshrines. But much more still needs to be done to make every citizen – women and men –aware of the impact of this declaration, so that its full potential as an empowerment tool for human rights defenders and promoters of human security around the globe will be enforced.Today’s celebrations belong to all men and women who dedicate their lives to defending and upholding human rights worldwide I strongly affirm that the European Union continues to be on their side and is fully determined to contribute to promoting and protecting human rights as an integral part of its external policies”.

Vice-President Jacques Barrot added: “Behind the European project there is a joint endeavour to the strengthening of pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men in our societies. The EU is not complacent with its own human rights record. The protection of human rights requires a constant effort to extend and update our legislative and policy initiatives in areas such as the fight against racism, xenophobia and all types of discrimination. This is our contribution to implementing every day the Declaration. ”

Background:
Human rights lie at the heart of the EU’s external relations and development policy, as it is underlined by the engagement of the EU in a worldwide campaign against the death penalty, by the key role played by the EU in the fight against torture as well as by the promotion of universality of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Within the framework of the EU’s human rights policy in third countries, the Commission is committed to advancing the situation of human rights worldwide through various tools, such as participation in EU human rights dialogues and consultations as well as in political dialogues with the authorities of third countries at different levels. Moreover, Commission Delegations regularly report on the human rights situation in third countries. Finally, through the European Instrument on Democracy and Human Rights - EIDHR , the Commission funds NGOs worldwide working to promote human rights, in areas such as the fight against the death penalty, torture, the support to human rights defenders and to grassroots organisations.
The European Commission fully supports the campaign launched by the UN Secretary-General in the framework of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration under the theme “Dignity and Justice for All of Us”. In this context, in cooperation with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Regional Information Office for Western Europe, the Commission supported the production of 22 short movies on human rights directed by well known film-makers from different regions of the world. The screening of these films is part of the European Union’s official ceremonies organised by the French Presidency taking place in Paris on 10 December, but also of a number of cultural and raising awareness events promoted locally by Delegations of the European Commission in third countries. As a further initiative to commemorate the 60th anniversary, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the United Nations organised in Brussels on 7-8 October 2008 the international conference“60th Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The Defenders take the Floor”. "

Fonte: The EU's Human rights & Democratisation Policy:
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/human_rights/intro/index.htm

Link,http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1912&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en , consultado a 9 de Dezembro de 2008.

7th CADTM INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ’DEBT AND HUMAN RIGHTS

DEBT AND HUMAN RIGHTS60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) 22th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development (1986)
On 4th and 5th December 2008 - Belgian Senate (21 rue de Louvain)- Brussels
Español Français

Thursday 4 December
9.30 – 12.30 : Introduction, Olga Zrihen (Senator) and Eric Toussaint (CADTM Belgium)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Declaration on the Right to Development, Assassment and perspectives, Julie Duchatel (CETIM-Geneva) and Benoît Van Der Meerschen (Ligue belge des droits de l’Homme and IFHR) With and interruption between 10.45 and 11.15
12.30- 13.15 : Lunch
13.15 – 14.45 : two panels The rights of human beings and of nature vs environmental debt , Fernando Lopez (CADTM Ecuador) and Victor Nzuzi (NAD/CADTM Kinshasa)The States’ right and duty to develop development policies: restore public control on natural resources, Luc Mukendi (CADTM Lubumbashi), Rock Nianga (CADTM/APASH Brazzaville) and Ibrahim Yacouba (RNDD Niger)
14.45- 15.15 : Interruption
15.15 – 16.45 : 2 panels
Privatisation and adjustment, a violation of the right to food and to clean water, a representative of Via Campesina and Olivier De Schutter (UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food)
Women’s rights and WLM vs Washington Consensus, Denise Comanne (CADTM Belgium), Maria-Rosa Anchundia (Red de Mujeres Transformando la Economía - REMTE - and former member of the commission auditing Ecuador’s debt –CAIC)
16.45- 17.00: Conclusion of the first day

Friday 5 December
9.30-9.45 : Introduction to the second day
9.45-11.00 : 2 panels
The rights to free circulation and establishment vs the EU migration policies, France Arets (CRACPE), Selma Benkelifa (solicitor for Progress Law)
Indivisibility of human rights – presentation of a new way of filing a lawsuit, Florence Kroff (solicitor with FIAN Belgium) and Monique Weyl (solicitor with AIJD, Paris)
11.00- 11.30 :Interruption
11.00- 12.45 :International financial Institutions and human rights, debate between Eric Toussaint (CADTM Belgium) and a representative of the World Bank or of the IMF
12.45- 13.30 : Lunch
13.30- 15.30: What legal instruments can be used to enforce human rights ?
The States’ rights and obligations to their populations, Hugo Ruiz Diaz (lawyer, Paraguay), Ramiro Chimuris (solicitor, Uruguay)
Peoples’ actions, Emilie Atchaka ( CADD Bénin)
Historic trial of corporations for their support to the apartheid regime in South Africa, Charles Abrahams (solicitor, South Africa)
The need to file a suit against the WB, Yann Queinnec, (lawyer with Sherpa, Paris))
15H30 à 16H00 : Interruption
16h00-16h30 : Synthesis and conclusion of the seminar, Claude Quemar (CADTM France)
Fonte: http://www.cadtm.org
Link,http://www.cadtm.org/spip.php?article3816 , consultado a 25 de Novembro de 2008.

Contact and registration (before 26 November, limited number of seats) :Cécile Lamarque cecile@cadtm.org +32 484995381Audrey Dye dye.audrey@hotmail.com + 32 487 414083 Free of cost for people from countries of the South; 8€/day for participants from the North; half price for small income). Meals, refreshments and translation included. Payable by bank credit transfert to Account no. 001-2318343-22 (or from France by cheque payable to the CADTM)

Journée Internationale des droits de l’enfant

English

20 novembre 2008 -- C'est la journée internationale de l'enfant. En 1954, l'Assemblée Générale des Nations Unies a passé la résolution 836 (IX) recommandant que tous les pays instaurent une journée nationale de l’enfant, journée visant à une meilleure compréhension entre les enfants et à des activités de promotion du bien-être des enfants du monde. Le 20 novembre est la date anniversaire de la signature par l’Assemblée Générale de la Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Enfant, en 1959, et de la Convention Internationale des Droits de l'Enfant, en 1989.
L’année 2008 marque le 19ème anniversaire de la journée internationale de l’enfant. La Convention Internationale des Droits de l’Enfant (CIDE) est l’accord sur les droits humains le plus largement ratifié à travers le monde. A ce jour, 193 états ont ratifié la CIDE. Seulement deux pays dans le monde (la Somalie et les Etats-Unis) n’ont pas encore donné à la CIDE de poids légal, bien qu’ils l’aient tous deux signé.
Malgré ce consensus mondial sur l’importance de nos enfants, sur plus ou moins 11 millions de décès infantiles chaque année, 70% ont des causes qui pourraient être évitées : diarrhées, malaria, infection néo-natales, pneumonie, accouchement prématuré, ou manque d’oxygène à la naissance. Ces décès ont principalement lieu dans les pays en développement. Un enfant éthiopien a 30 fois plus de chance de mourir avant ses 5 ans qu’un enfant né en Europe de l’Ouest. L’Asie centrale du sud a le plus grand nombre de mort de nouveau-nés, alors que l’Afrique sub-saharienne a le plus fort taux.
L’épidémie de SIDA fait un grand nombre de victimes parmi les enfants, particulièrement en Afrique sub-saharienne. Les prévisions du nombre d’enfants orphelins et fragilisés par le SIDA atteignent 25 millions d’ici la fin de la décennie, 18 millions d’entre eux en Afrique. Ceci, cumulé avec les faibles avancées du combat contre la malaria, signifie que la survie des enfants est toujours aussi menacée.
Sources: Bibliothèque de l’ONU Dag Hammarskjöld, UNICEF

Sélection de matériel d’apprentissage
Guide explicatif sur les Droits Humains des Enfants et des Jeunes (HREA)
Conversation sur le travail des enfants et le droit à l’éducation avec le rapporteur spécial de l’ONU sur le Droit à l’Education (15 juin 2005)
Le Droit des Enfants Ici et Maintenant (Amnesty International-USA)
Champs d’espoir: Activités Educatives sur le Travail des Enfants. Livret de l’enseignant
"Comment protéger les Droits de l’Homme?”Plan de cours: les Droits de l’enfant dans le système de protection des droits humain de l’ONU (Fondation Helsinki pour les droits de l’Homme, Pologne)
Plan de cours sur les enfants refugiés (HCRONU)
Eduquer les enfants pour leur donner des racines, des droits et des responsabilités: Fêter la convention internationale des droits de l’enfant de l’ONU (USA)
Enseigner pour les Droits Humains: maternelle et primaire
Enseigner pour les Droits Humains: collège
Traités internationaux sur les droits des enfants:
- Convention Internationale des Droits de l’Enfant
- Version simplifiée de la Convention Internationale des Droits de l’Enfant
- Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Enfant
- Charte africaine des droits et du bien-être de l'enfant
- Convention (n° 138) de l’Organisation internationale du travail (OIT) sur l’Age Minimum pour accéder au travail
- Convention (No. 182) de l’OIT sur l’interdiction et l’action immédiate pour l’élimination des pires formes de travail des enfants
- Protocole Optionnel à la Convention des Droits de l’Enfant sur l’engagement des enfants dans les conflits armés
- Protocole Optionnel à la Convention des Droits de l’Enfant sur le commerce des enfants, la prostitution et la pornographie infantiles
Liens utiles
Le Fonds des Nations Unies pour l'enfance (UNICEF)
l’Organisation internationale du travail (OIT) sur le travail des enfants
Le Réseau d'information des droits de l'enfant (CRIN) -Travail des enfants
Fonte, Human Rights Education Associates (HREA)
Link,http://www.hrea.org/index.php?doc_id=923, consultado a 20 de Novembro de 2008.

Education vital in efforts to defeat intolerance, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says

16 November 2008

Education is one of the most useful ways to overcome intolerance because it highlights similarities between people and helps to spread a healthy respect for differences, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
In a message marking the International Day for Tolerance, which is observed today, Mr. Ban said the promotion of tolerance was especially valuable in the contemporary era of globalization, interdependence and increased mobility.
“While diversity is an invaluable asset, it can also be a source of tension,” he said. “Tolerance can diffuse potential conflicts. It can help prevent theories of racial or cultural superiority from emerging, and help societies to gradually overcome long-held prejudices and negative stereotypes.”
Mr. Ban stressed that tolerance should not be mistaken for either concession or condescension, and should also not be confused with indifference.
“Genuine tolerance is about openness, curiosity and communication. It goes hand in hand with knowledge and understanding. Education is one of the best ways to prevent intolerance, by revealing similarities between people and spreading a healthy respect for differences.”
This week the General Assembly held a high-level meeting featuring Mr. Ban and numerous international leaders to discuss Saudi Arabia''s “Culture of Peace” initiative, exploring ways to increase tolerance between peoples of different faiths and cultures.
Fonte, UN News Centre
Link,http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28959&Cr=tolerance&Cr1= , consultado a 18 de Novembro de 2008.

UNITED NATIONS DAY 2008

24 October 2008

"The United Nations must deliver results for a safer, healthier, more prosperous world. On this UN Day, I call on all partners and leaders to do their part and keep the promise." Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General

Click here to watch the video of the Secretary-General's message

The anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter on 24 October 1945 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. It has traditionally been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the Organization. In 1971, the General Assembly recommended that Member States observe it as a public holiday (resolution 2782 (XXV). (Reference Paper 45).

Link,http://www.un.org/events/unday/2008/, consultado a 17 de Novembro de 2008.

Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World | the book written by Samantha Power

" Curator
author TeresaDeSouza

Just to say that Samantha Power herself recognizes that her book on Sergio Vieira de Mello has many holes and untruth. (...). I hope ( we all hope ) the film will not be done. It would be a Blasphemy against the Truth. Self promotion ... Terry George has to know that ! Teresa Loureiro de Souza*, Berlin" - Posted on August 7, 2008 by - TeresaDeSouza
*Teresa de Souza, Curator and Researcher / Documentalist to the Diplomatic Service, Berlin. E-Mail : Teresa.de.Souza@hotmail.de
Link,http://www.goodmagazine.com/user/TeresaDeSouza, consultado a 7 de setembro de 2008.

Sergio Vieira de Mello | 19th of August 2008 | Day of Remembrance

Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation

" (...). Day of Remembrance
On the 19th of August 2008 it will be 5 years since Sergio Vieira de Mello lost his life in Baghdad in the attack against the UN, together with 21 of his colleagues. This day remains one of the most tragic days in the history of the UN.
The Foundation has associated itself with the ceremonies organized by the UN to commemorate this sad anniversary. On this occasion the Foundation wishes to honour not only the 22 victims of the Baghdad attack, but also all other humanitarians who have given their lives in defence of the principles of the UN Charter.
To ensure that humanitarians who have died in the course of duty are not forgotten, the Foundation would like the UN, through its General Assembly, to adopt an official annual day of commemoration. It has therefore been in contact with the representatives of several governments, submitting a draft resolution to them, entitled: “19 August: World Humanitarian Day”. All the contacted Governments have received the initiative positively and we hope that this draft resolution will be voted on favourably during the Fall Session of the General Assembly.
May commemorating them keep their spirit of peace alive.

Journée du souvenir
Le 19 août 2008, cela fera 5 ans que Sergio Vieira de Mello a perdu la vie à Bagdad dans l’attentat contre les Nations Unies, au côté de 21 de ses collègues. Cette journée restera un des moments les plus tragiques de l’histoire des Nations Unies.
La Fondation s’est associée aux cérémonies organisées par l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour commémorer ce triste anniversaire. A cette occasion, la Fondation rendra hommage non seulement aux 22 victimes de l’attentat de Bagdad, mais aussi à tous les humanitaires qui ont perdu la vie pour défendre les principes de la Charte des Nations Unies.
Afin que tous ces humanistes ne soient pas oubliés, la Fondation souhaite que les Nations Unies, avec l’accord de l’Assemblée générale, leur reconnaisse une journée officielle de commémoration. Elle a donc pris contact avec plusieurs représentants de gouvernements pour leur soumettre un projet de résolution visant à instaurer le 19 août : la journée mondiale des humanitaires. Les gouvernements ont accueilli très favorablement cette initiative. Nous espérons que cette résolution sera adoptée lors de la session d’automne de l’Assemblée générale.
Souvenez-vous de ces Hommes de Paix. "
Link,http://www.sergiovdmfoundation.org/en/remembrance.html, consultado a 19 de Agosto de 2008.
(Os Links desta página são da responsabilidade da CIVITAS MAXIMA).

60º. aniversário da Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos

Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos

Adira à campanha

Em 2008 celebra-se o 60º. aniversário da Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos.

Associe-se à campanha da ONU para comemorar este aniversário ao longo de todo o ano. (...). Trabalhe em parceria connosco e inicie no seu país um dos projectos já anunciados no sítio http://www.knowyourrights2008.org/. (...).
8 Link,http://html.knowyourrights2008.org/pt/, consultado a 27 de Julho de 2008.

Sergio Vieira de Mello United Nations Library at Nairobi

United Nations (UN) Libraries

"The Sergio Vieira de Mello United Nations Library at Nairobi is a joint initiative of the United Nations agencies based in Nairobi, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) .
The Sergio Vieira de Mello United Nations Library at Nairobi was officially opened on 30 June 2004 by Mr Klaus Toepfer, United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of UNEP and Director General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). He was accompanied by Mrs Anna Tibaijuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, Mr. Paul Andre de la Porte, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya and, on behalf of the Government of Brazil, Mrs Vera Pedrosa, Ambassador, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Library, which was previously known as the UNEP Library and Documentation Centre, has been named in recognition of Sergio Vieira de Mello and all the other staff members who have lost their lives in the service of the United Nations.
In Dec 2004 the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/Res/59/126 A-B para 104 which says "notes with appreciation the operation of a common library in Nairobi within existing resources, in line with the approach set out in paragraph 37 of the Secretary-General's report on the modernization and integrated management of United Nations Libraries and in-depth review of library activities, and urges all United Nations offices in Nairobi to participate in and support this venture."(...)

Link,http://www.unlibrary-nairobi.org/default.asp, consultado a 27 de Julho de 2008.

Link,http://www.un.org/unlibraries/unlibe/index.html,consultado a 27 de Julho de 2008.

Direitos Humanos | Órgãos das Nações Unidas de Controlo da Aplicação dos Tratados em Matéria de Direitos Humanos : O Comité dos Direitos do Homem

English Español Français
Gabinete de Documentação e Direito Comparado (GDDC)
página principal > direitos humanos: comité dos direitos do homem

O Comité dos Direitos do Homem é o órgão criado em virtude dos art.º 28.º do Pacto Internacional sobre os Direitos Civis e Políticos com o objectivo de controlar a aplicação, pelos Estados Partes, das disposições deste instrumento (bem como do seu segundo Protocolo Adicional com vista à Abolição da Pena de Morte). Nos termos do art.º 40.º do Pacto (e o at.º 3.º o segundo Protocolo), os Estados Partes apresentam relatórios ao Comité onde enunciam as medidas adoptadas para tornar efectivas as disposições destes tratados. Os relatórios são analisados pelo Comité e discutidos entre este e representantes do Estado Parte em causa, após o que o Comité emite as suas observações finais sobre cada relatório: salientando os aspectos positivos bem como os problemas detectados, para os quais recomenda as soluções que lhe pareçam adequadas.
Os Estados Partes no (primeiro) Protocolo Facultativo referente ao Pacto Internacional sobre os Direitos Civis e Políticos reconhecem ao Comité competência examinar comunicações de particulares sujeitos à sua jurisdição que aleguem terem sido vítimas de violação dos direitos previstos no Pacto. O Comité dispõe ainda de competência para apreciar comunicações interestaduais (art.º 41.º do Pacto) e para formular comentários gerais relativos a determinados artigos ou disposições do mesmo instrumento.
1. O Comité dos Direitos do Homem Por Catarina Albuquerque
2. Pacto Internacional sobre os Direitos Civis e Políticos
3. Protocolo Facultativo referente ao Pacto Internacional sobre os Direitos Civis e Políticos
4. Segundo Protocolo Adicional ao Pacto Internacional sobre os Direitos Civis e Políticos com vista à Abolição da Pena de Morte
5. Regras de Procedimento do Comité (texto em inglês, francês e espanhol disponível no website do Alto Comissariado das Nações Unidas para os Direitos Humanos)
6. Directrizes sobre a forma e o conteúdo dos relatórios a apresentar pelos Estados Partes (texto em inglês, francês e espanhol disponível no website do Alto Comissariado das Nações Unidas para os Direitos Humanos)
7. Comentários gerais do Comité
8. Jurisprudência do Comité (quanto a comunicações individuais apresentadas ao abrigo do Protocolo Facultativo referente ao Pacto Internacional sobre os Direitos Civis e Políticos)
9. Relatórios das sessões do Comité
10. Relatórios apresentados por Portugal ao Comité dos Direitos do Homem, actas das sessões em que foram analisados e observações finais do Comité

Link,http://www.gddc.pt/direitos-humanos/onu-proteccao-dh/orgaos-onu-dir-homem-novo.html, consultado a 17 de Abril de 2008.

Ban Ki-moon | My priorities as Secretary-General - A Stronger United Nations for a Better World

Official portrait of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Ban Ki-moon outlines his vision of a stronger UN for a better world

(...)“I am determined to make progress on the pressing issues of our time, step by step, by building on achievements along the way, working with Member States and civil society.” (...).
Link,http://www.un.org/sg/priority.shtml, consultado a 6 de Abril de 2008.

Council of Europe 2008 North-South Prize goes to Kofi Annan and Simone Veil

Photo: From left to right: Claude Frey, Terry Davis, Simone Veil, Kofi Annan, Nane Annan and Lluis Maria de Puig

Lisbon, 02.04.2008 – Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General and Simone Veil, the first President of the directly elected European Parliament, have received the 13th Council of Europe North-South Prize during a solemn ceremony held in Lisbon on 1 April.
The North-South Prize of the Council of Europe has been awarded every year since 1995 by the North South Centre of the Council of Europe to two candidates who have demonstrated strong and visible commitment, outstanding achievement and clear hope for the future concerning protection of human rights.
“The award which Simone Veil and Kofi Annan received today is a recognition of their contribution to dialogue between people from different countries and different parts of the world, a dialogue based on respect for human rights and a commitment to democracy, good governance and the rule of law,” said Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis, addressing this year’s prize winners.
“They have worked all their lives for a world in which North and South will become a matter of geography - not a matter of fate,” he said.
Extending his warmest congratulations to this year’s prize-winners Claude Frey, the Chairman of the North-South Centre’s Executive Council, underlined that “the names of Mr. Annan and Ms. Veil served as synonyms for the struggle for human rights and that their lives became the symbols of courage and of a hope for fight for the cause of human rights.”
Speaking at the event, the President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Lluis Maria de Puig said: “It is a moment for all of us to recognise your efforts and to say once again that we need you and we need people like you to build more fair and human societies. Your actions are the source of inspiration, which gives us strength to believe in a better future for a mankind.”
In her acceptance speech Simone Veil said “there were many challenges that must to be faced and tackled” and “that the award will be a further inspiration and motivation for them to work on solving the problems the world is facing."
“This award recognises the interdependent world we all share and live in today. It promotes the values of solidarity, reconciliation and mutual respect over exclusion and mistrust and I therefore applaud your efforts to hold the North and South together. After all we are in the same boat,” said Kofi Annan accepting the prize.
Echoing other speakers at the ceremony and joining them in congratulating this year’s prize winners, the Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva said: "Through their tireless work this year’s laureates have contributed in an outstanding way to the promotion of our shared principles on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. By upholding the highest moral standards, Mr Annan and Ms. Veil epitomise the essence of the Council of Europe North-South Prize ".
The award ceremony, which has been held this year for the thirteenth time, was attended by over 150 members of the diplomatic community, members of Portuguese Parliament and the representatives of the Council of Europe institutions and international organisations.

Information about this year’s winners of the North-South Centre Prize

Kofi Annan of Ghana, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, has been a constant advocate for human rights, the rule of law and the universal values of equality, tolerance and human dignity, as well as for the Millennium Development Goals and Africa. He sought to bring the UN closer to the global public by forging ties with civil society, the private sector and other partners. One of Kofi Annan's main priorities as Secretary-General was a comprehensive programme of reform aimed at revitalising the United Nations and making the international system more effective. Kofi Annan and the UN were jointly awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize for Peace.

Simone Veil of France is a leading European politician and human rights activist who survived the Nazi concentration camps. Throughout her career as a magistrate and a politician, she fought to fight against all forms of discrimination. She served as French Minister for Health (1974-79), securing the passage of a liberalised abortion and contraception law in 1974. Veil was elected to the European Parliament in 1979, 1984, and 1989 and served as its first popularly elected president. She was member of the the Constitutional Council of France. She is a founding member of the Foundation for the Memory of the Shoah (“Fondation pour la mémoire da la Shoah”) and served as its President until 2007.

All winners of the Prize since 1995
File “Council of Europe North-South Prize”
Speech by Kofi AnnanSpeech by Terry Davis
Speech by Lluís Maria de Puig [FR]
Video
File: ''Council of Europe North-South Prize''
Link,http://www.coe.int/DEFAULTEN.ASP?,consultado a 3 de Abril de 2008.